macrumors 68040

"Yes, I would ditch my Mac for non-proprietary hardware" implies that I tolerate my Mac hardware in order to use OS X and that I definitely would switch hardware given the opportunity, but that's not at all true. However, I would CONSIDER switching to non-Apple hardware for some of my computer uses, and in all likelihood I'd probably wind up with some Apple Macs and some non-Apple OS X machines.

macrumors 6502a

Are we talking about legally running OS X on a generic box, or the "FrankenMac" and "Hackintosh" systems that probably exist in the hundreds right now?

Life gets a lot worse when you trade in your Genius Bar appointments for tech support from a brain-dead technician that may or may not have a heavy accent. (Or "zero" tech support for the "FrankenMacs.")

macrumors regular

No, I will not ditch my Mac (laptop), however I would likely buy an additional "open" system (desktop) if the specs look good.

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i had a look and to be honest id still get the mac just because the lower end machine is ok for the price (cos you kin upgrade.... possibly) but when you go higher y take the risk with that kind o money?

macrumors 68000

macrumors 68000

I wouldn't totally ditch the Mac. I love Apple's hardware and their designs. There's just simply nothing like it on any other platform, or even a DIY PC. I would consider getting a tower, or maybe build my own tower with OS X on it. But I would definitely still own a genuine Mac.

It would be nice for me to have a tower that I can use at home for various things. But I also need a laptop, so I would go MacBook or MacBook Pro there.

Like others have said though, there's more to a Mac than just the OS. Its the whole experience. Some non-Mac users just don't get it and no matter what you do, you can't drill it into their head. They simply don't get that concept. So if Apple did allow it, it would be the end of Apple as we know it. Maybe the company would stay in business, but their computers would eventually end up being "just another computer", only classier than the rest. In other words, their computers wouldn't be what they used to be.

macrumors 68030

I would go forward with replacing my 12" iBook with either a 13" Macbook or Macbook Air, but I would get my desktop from another company. This iMac is an amazing family machine, but is far too limited for my needs.

macrumors 68000

I like Macs because it's a perfect integration of hardware and software, but at the same time, Apple could improve.. ie on the Mac mini.. it had/has potential to be a great desktop machine but they haven't fulfilled the idea. A mac mini with specs similar to an iMac would be nice

macrumors regular

Why not? At least to try out for fun. I'd still buy apple hardware, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't try out a really inexpensive alternate (if it was really less expensive) for the kids or something like that. I've always been a "you get what you pay for" kind of guy. But if the price is worth trying to prove that statement wrong, then I'm open to it...

Maybe if someone made $200 hardware, with obviously low specs, that would be where I'd be willing to buy it. However if the alternative was $700 for something that was like a headless iMac, I'd opt for the apple hardware and get a mini. Maybe less performance (or so the specs say), but Apple hardware.

So that's my cutoff. If you make $200 hardware that'll run OSX, I'll try it out... Otherwise, there's something that Apple makes in a similar price range

macrumors 601

I like Macs because it's a perfect integration of hardware and software, but at the same time, Apple could improve.. ie on the Mac mini.. it had/has potential to be a great desktop machine but they haven't fulfilled the idea. A mac mini with specs similar to an iMac would be nice

macrumors 6502a

I'd still buy an Apple Laptop, id keep my macbook pro and macbook but i'd never buy an official Apple Dekstop.

On my current DIY Pc, With the latest kalyway of 10.5.2 i dont need to do any messing with code or install any other drivers, everything just works, including accelerated 7900gtx graphics, sound, network, AHCI sata, the lot. It's ALOT faster than my macbook pro, and easily as stable.
Before anyone asks, i also bought an extra licence of Leopard.

I can only assume if it was officially opened up it would be even better.

Granted, the reason osx works so well is because apple know what hardware is it being put on.

Whats the problem of approving specific motherboards, graphics cards, soundcards for use with OSX? Those are the key components that affect the compatibility and stability surely.

Narrow down the scope of hardware that will be supported to ensure stability.

This would free it up for people to use custom cases, monitors, processors and graphics cards while keeping the generic architecture the same.

I can think of many friends that would like a mac, but without the price tag.

As long as the hardware was approved by Apple i really don't see the problem. They can still make their own laptops/desktops for the people that really want the best possible stability/support.

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